New federal DEI restrictions on County Health Department funding spurs hiring halt

EVERETT — New restrictions imposed on the Snohomish County Health Department prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion programs and spurred a hiring pause for the department.

An email from Interim Department Director Pam Aguilar — sent to all Health Department employees Wednesday — announced a temporary pause on hiring. All regular, project and temporary positions are affected; the Department Director position remains open.

Aguilar cites a restriction “embedded in updated contract Terms and Conditions [that] prohibits organizations from operating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs” to receive federal grants.

The pause will take place through Aug. 15. The Department removed a total of 12.5 positions from the careers website, including three Environmental Health Specialists that were already in process, according to Kari Bray, a spokesperson for the county Executive’s Office.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/new-federal-dei-restrictions-on-county-health-department-funding-spurs-hiring-halt/